Pregnancy Highlights - 14 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 14 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Thinking I lost some more but not sure...

Maternity Clothes: I wore a maternity shirt and skirt to church yesterday. And it was much more comfortable then regular clothes.

Gender: Still thinking it's a boy - We find out June 28

Movement: None that I can feel...

Sleep: Less tired now thank goodness and sleeping good...

What I miss: Hot dogs...Why is it when you can't have something you want it more? And usually you wouldn't want it anyhow!

Cravings: Want more sour stuff!

Symptoms: Nauseated here and there.

Best Moment this week: Second trimester has started! :)

Size of baby: 3.4 in, 1.5 oz

Baby is the size of a: Lemon

Friend Making Monday

I decided to do something different this wonderful Manic Monday! :) I found this Friend Making Monday from another blog that I follow and I followed that to the original poster and I copied it and I'm taking part too! :) This is my first time doing this so don't be to judgmental but at least a little to let me know what you think! Have fun and take part too!

If you've taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you're new, please take a moment to answer this week's question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen.  The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it's time for this week's topic!

FMM: ABC's of Me

Here's how it works...you'll choose topics about yourself, your likes, dislikes, etc.  according to each letter in the alphabet, and share a little with us. Oh shhh...you know you love it. ;)

A) Apples is a fruit I love, but I really only like Granny Smith Apples. All the rest are to soft.

B) Books...make me feel safe, I love to go to Barnes and Noble or even the library.

C) I wear contacts! And without them I can see almost nothing. AND I crochet, although I can't follow a pattern other then the one in my mind.

D) Devotions with God are very important to me.

E) Eating is something that I love to do. Especially since my husband and I have been together, he's a chef and has introduced me to many good eating adventures. For example, we went to Chicago last year on vacation just to eat.

F) Friends are something that is important to me but I don't have very many.

G) Goodreads is one of my favorite sites...I've found many of good friends on there.

H) I don't like to be hot...There is only so much you can take off when you get hot and you'll still be hot after you take off all you can.

I) I have an iPhone, what's your favorite apps?

J) Jamie is my husband and I love him dearly!

K) Kasey is my real name but I've always liked Kasi better. Said the same way just spelled different.

L) Laffy Taffy is good. But I've been wanting sour stuff since I've been pregnant.

M) My Momma is one of the most important people in my life. (Other then God and my husband)

N) Night owl, yes that's me.

O) I have a bit of OCD in me. Or is that CDO??? haha. I'm more OCD at work then I am at home but I can be at home too.

P) I'm pregnant (in case you haven't read the rest of my blog) :)

Q) Questions are good, do you have any?

R) Reading is something that I absolutely love to do.

S)  Sleep is something I love to do too.

T) I'm a teacher but not in the school system, I teach four and five year olds at a daycare.

U) Uglies was a good book that I read. You should try it.

V) I don't understand how vegetarians make it. I don't care for meat since being pregnant and I can't wait to enjoy it again.

W) Weekends are the best but they'd be better if my husband could share them with me.

X) Example...Live by being an example to others.

Y) I don't miss being young, I do miss not having bills when I was young!

Z) Zombies are okay to read about sometimes but not all the time.

Now it's your turn! Don't forget to come back and link up! Happy Monday, and happy Memorial Day!

Roseflower Creek by Jackie Lee Miles

"The morning I died it rained. Poured down so hard it washed the blood off my face."

Thus begins the story of ten-year-old Lori Jean, whose short life and early death are woven into this affecting novel set in the 1950s rural South. Abandoned by her father when she was just five years old, Lori Jean's world consists of a weak-willed mother and an alcoholic stepfather who can't keep a steady job. Yet Lori Jean is filled with the curiosity and hope common to all children.

When Lori Jean uncovers her stepfather's secret, everything spins out of control and she pays the ultimate price for what she knows.

But through this heart-wrenching story comes surprising tribute to the human heart's ability to heal and love despite the most difficult circumstances.

My Review - This book was incredibly long and it didn't even get good until like the last 25 to 50 pages of the book. Most of the rest was just filler and stuff that didn't even matter to the plot. I admittedly skipped chapters here and there just because it wasn't anything to do with the big picture. When I go to the last chapter I was like oh my gosh it continues. And when I finally finished there was a sigh of relief. I also didn't like how since the person was from the south they didn't know how to speak correctly. I'm from the south and majority of the time I speak correctly. It was an insult to the south. Sorry, just didn't care for this book but stuck with it. Still only gets one star.

Been lazy today but off Monday.

I've been so lazy today. I have done a total of wash a load of clothes (yes one) and I have another in the wash. And I've accomplished taking a nap with some very vivid dreams. haha. BUT I'm going to be off on Monday for Memorial Day and so is my hubby. So maybe some cleaning will happen that day! :)

Five Question Friday

I decided to do Five Question Friday...It's pretty cool and fun to see everyone's answers. So enjoy! :)

http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/

1. Do you apologize to your kids?

I don't have children of my own yet that are born (YET!). But I do work at a daycare and have 16 four and five year olds with another teacher and when I need to apologize to them, I do. And I will to my child when they are born too! :)

2. What color are your nails right now?

No polish. I love for my nails to be polished but I hate when I polish them one night and the polish starts coming off the next day. What's the point! So my nails are rarely polished.

3. When you were growing up, how difficult was it for you to stay home from school sick? (As in, did you have to vomit or just say "I don't feel good".)

As I got older it wasn't has hard. Like I remember a few days when I was in a school where they didn't care how many days you missed my mom would let me miss once in a while. But once we moved to where the school cared if you missed more then 3 days (yes you read it right) then she cared much more!

4. When is the last time you bought a new comforter for your bed?

Probably about a year ago. We got a new bed frame last year and I felt it needed a pretty new comforter on it and found one that I liked :)

5. Favorite website(s)?

HUM...Blogger, Facebook...I also love Goodreads and my ALL-TIME favorite Nook Blog is Nook Deals.

Pregnancy Highlights - 12 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 13 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Thinking I lost some more but not sure...

Maternity Clothes: Haven't worn anymore but I have a few more shirts...Need to be finding me some capri's for work though...It's getting hot outside!

Gender: Still thinking it's a boy - We find out June 28

Movement: None that I can feel...

Sleep: Less tired now thank goodness and sleeping good...

What I miss: Allergy meds...

Cravings:I got my sour stuff and ate to much of it and my mouth is tore up. Haven't been wanting anything lately.

Symptoms: headaches galore

Best Moment this week: We took the bed out of the spare bedroom which will be the nursery...Probably start working on that after the cruise...

Size of baby: 2.9 in, .81 oz

Baby is the size of a: Peach

Grammy's Chocolate Cookies

A few years ago at Christmas I made two different kinds of chocolate cookies. One was Grammy's Chocolate Cookies and the other was Giant Chocolate Sugar Cookies. I know I got both of the recipes out of the cookbook, Martha Stewart's Cookies. But the catch is I remember everyone liking one of the cookies but not the other one. So I decided that this week I'd make one recipe and next week I'd make the other one. So without further rambling here is the recipe for Grammy's Chocolate Cookies along with some pictures...

Ingredients:
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Sanding sugar, for rolling.

Directions:
1. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat to combine. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add flour mixture; beat to combine. Form dough into a flattened disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll each ball in sanding sugar. Place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake until set, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating halfway through. Transfer to a rack to cool for 5 minutes. Cookies can be stored between layers of parchment in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

The flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt sifted together! Then all the goodness in the mixing bowl! YUMMY!

The flattened disk before it went in the fridge to chill. I let my dough chill for 2 hours. And last night when I made these I only made half the batch so the other half is still chilling. And then a picture of cookies ready to be ate! Can we say YUMMY again?? :)

I'll be hopefully making the Giant Chocolate Sugar Cookies next weekened. More YUMMYness!

Salsa Chicken

A few weeks ago I found a recipe for Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken. And then I was looking at Allrecipes.com and I found a Salsa Chicken recipe that didn't use a slow cooker (and I honestly didn't feel like dragging the slow cooker out anyhow). So I decided to try the recipe I found from the website instead of the slow cooker one. SN: I did try the slow cooker one a few weeks later and it wasn't near as good as this one. I'll post it later!

SO, here's the recipe for Salsa Chicken...

Ingredients:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
4 teaspoons taco seasoning mix
1 cup salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons sour cream (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
Place chicken breasts in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle taco seasoning on both sides of chicken breasts and pour salsa over all.
Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is tender and juicy and its juices run clear.
Sprinkle chicken evenly with cheese, and continue baking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with sour cream if desired, and serve.

Here's the chicken before going into the oven and then after coming out of the oven. I only used 3 chicken breast AND I didn't measure out anything. I also used sour cream because I absolutely LOVE sour cream.

This is definitely a recipe that will be going into the recipe box. It's super easy and doesn't take long at all. Plus it was tasty! Enjoy!

The Whittakers

I know this amazing family that has moved to Sudan to be missionaries. They are amazing and you should check out their blog Here... And be praying for them. AMAZING!

Six Word Saturday

Sinus' are just another daily problem.

Yes, I have sinus issues. BUT that's just another daily problem and it's not going to ruin my day. I will get my cleaning, laundry and baking done! I WILL!! :)

Five Question Friday

Trying something new this Friday! :) Enjoy....

1. Do you and your spouse go to bed at the same time? Nope...I grew up thinking that we had to go to bed at the same time because my parents always went to bed together (actually my dad would seriously take a nap on the couch and then when mom was ready to go to bed she'd wake him up and they'd go to bed). And when Jamie and I first got married we tired going to bed. But because he works till 10 or 11 and he likes to unwind I usually go to bed about 30 minutes to an hour after he gets home. Then he'll come to bed 3 or 4 hours later. If we go to bed together I won't sleep.

2. A question for the ladies...What kind of facial hair do you like on your man? Not much at all.

3. What's the worst vacation you've ever taken? HUM...Camping, I've done it one time and can honestly say I don't care to do it again.

4. What's the first-ever blog you followed? Seriously I'm supposed to remember that??? I can only guess and I'm going to guess A Year Of Slow Cooking

5. Do you enjoy amusement parks? I do. Carowinds is about an hour away from us and although I haven't been in probably 5 years I do enjoy amusement parks.

Medical Error by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

Dr. Anna McIntyre's life was going along just fine until someone else started living it. Her patient died because of an identity mix-up; her medical career is in jeopardy because of forged prescriptions; and her credit is in ruins. She thought things couldn't get worse, but that was before she opened the envelope and saw a positive HIV test with her name on it.

Her allies are two men who are also competing for her affection. Dr. Nick Valentine is a cynic who carries a load of guilt. Attorney Ross Donovan is a recovering alcoholic. The deeper Anna digs to discover who's behind the identity thefts the higher the stakes. Finally, when her life is on the line, Anna finds that her determination to clear her name might have been a prescription for trouble.

My Review - I liked this book. I was guessing until the very end and even when one person stepped up to plate I was still guess. HAHA. Can't wait to get the 3rd book in this series.

Pregnancy Highlights - 12 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 12 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Went to the doctor today and I've lost 5 lbs since last month. So for the total pregnancy I've lost 3 lbs.

Maternity Clothes:Wore my first maternity shirt to church yesterday...It was comfortable.

Gender: Still thinking it's a boy

Movement: None that I can feel

Sleep: Not as tired all the time but I sleep good most nights.

What I miss: being able to take meds for headaches since it's sinus season

Cravings: sour stuff

Symptoms: headaches

Best Moment this week: HUM...there were sooooo many...My husband and I got to hear and see the heartbeating. Got to see the baby move and his/her feet, legs and left arm. And we also saw the brain.

Size of baby: 2.1 in, .49 oz

Baby is the size of a: Plum

Now a real picture of our baby. We went to the doctor today and she confirmed I am just carrying one baby. Beautiful, awesome, so cool and SO EXCITING!

Six Word Saturday

Can't wait till Monday, how many?!

So Monday we are going back to the baby doctor. I'm so excited! AND we'll find out how many babies there are. There is a higher chance of multiplies because I was on Clommid. But they saw a shadow back on April 18th, and the doctor says that means there could be more then one baby. I still think it's just one and it's a boy. BUT everyone at work says I'm going to have twins, a boy and a girl, because I'm bigger then most people think an 11 week pregnant lady should be (nice huh?! haha). I'd be happy with whatever God provides for us, because ultimately He is in control.

Also I joined Blog and Share in hopes that I can share with more people! Enjoy!

Friday Fill-ins

1. I know I'm hearing thunder (even though every time I mute the TV I don't hear it!).

2. Eat chocolate daily if at all possible.

3. This weather has been great for making my hair frizzy! (For real the humidity is awful!)

4. Give God a problem (or all of them!).

5. I'm really happy I have the ability to sleep whenever, wherever..

6. Be nice, or something to that effect.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing and listening to it storm, tomorrow my plans include laundry, birthday party and babysitting (looking forward to this a lot! -Really!) and Sunday, I want to go to church and spend time with family!

The Painted Room by Tina Mikals

If 15-year-old May Taylor isn't careful she's going to turn into her mother: a woman with an icicle tongue, migraines and a fondness for gin and tonic. Francis Carlisle is a bumbling Victorian painter trapped for over a century in his own work. Together with May’s best friend, Sheila, they travel in a transcendent world through the paintings on the walls of an art dealer's living room.

My Review - Although this book was a really good book I thought it was a bit to long. I loved some parts where May and Shelia were going through and then some I didn't. Like the pirates, I really could have cared less to go through that whole chapter or two. I loved the ending and that there could be a second book coming out. Hopefully that book won't be so long though.

Pregnancy Highlights - 11 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 11 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 2 lbs - still, I think...

Maternity Clothes: The jeans are definitely getting tighter...tucking the buttons in so they aren't hurting me

Gender: Still thinking it's a boy

Movement: None...

Sleep: Still tired but not as much

What I miss: food...I'm either not hungry or just don't want anything.

Cravings: salt...

Symptoms: tired and nauseated

Best Moment this week: my belly is already starting to get hard :)

Size of baby: 1.6 in, .25 oz

Baby is the size of a: Lime!

Six Word Saturday

Having a headache bites when pregnant....

So I have a headache and it bites cause I can't take anything other then two tylenol which is like taking nothing. :( Blah...

Friday Fill-ins

And...here we go!

1. Parenthood is my favorite TV show (or movie) because it's realistic.

2. Go to page 45 of the book you're reading or of the book closest to you; go to the 6th paragraph and make a sentence out of 7 words from it: Got Up Early, he kissed his daughters..

3. I am so glad I'm off tomorrow!.

4. Beachy long walks.

5. Take some time to appreciate your Mother this weekend!.

6. My house needs a bit of attention on the cleaning area.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting a pedicure with my friend Mary, tomorrow my plans include going to a birthday party and doing the Mother's day thing with my MOMMA! and Sunday, I want to go to church, do lunch for Mother's Day with my Daddy's family and do supper with my Momma's family!

Play Dough

I made play dough tonight for my kids that I teach. It's super easy and VERY cheap so I'll be making it this way for my little one too one day. This is also safe for I made Cherry and Orange...You'll understand that in a minute! :)

Play Dough

1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
1 Tbsp. cooking oil
2 tsp. cream tartar
1 pkg. Kool-aid (where the Cherry and Orange comes from)
1 c. water

Mix dry ingredients, add oil water, cook medium heat until mixture forms a ball. Stir continous so it doesn't burn. Pour onto waxed paper and knead once cooled so you can touch it.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I made these a last week and they are so good! Some people call them No Bake Cookies but I've always called them Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies. Note: They look liquidy in the picture but they harden up after you let them sit. My mom says if it's raining though that it affects them but I haven't made them enough to know.


Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

1 stick butter, melted
2 c. sugar
4 to 6 tsp. cocoa (I usually use 6 cause I like chocolate!)
1/2 c. milk (exact measurement)
2 c. quick oatmeal
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Measure out oatmeal and set aside. Melt butter in a 2-quart pot. Add sugar and cocoa. Add milk and bring to a boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add oatmeal quickly. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Stir to death. (This is important!) Drop by teaspoonfuls on wax paper to cool. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Pregnancy Highlights - 10 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 10 weeks and 1 day

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 2 lbs - still, I think...

Maternity Clothes: The jeans are definitely getting tighter...

Gender: Still thinking it's a boy

Movement: None...

Sleep: Still tired but not as much

What I miss: my jeans being less tight

Cravings: peanut butter and banana sandwich

Symptoms: tired and nauseated

Best Moment this week: some told me they were excited for me!

Size of baby: 1.2 in, .14 oz

Baby is the size of a: Prune

Jenny Pox by JL Bryan

 Jenny Morton is a quiet small-town girl from South Carolina whose touch spreads a deadly supernatural plague--she can't touch anyone for long without killing them. Jenny can't control her power, so it controls her life. The kids at school call her "Jenny Mittens" because she wears gloves year-round, even in the broiling Carolina summer.

Occasionally, she makes a mistake and spreads disease and death. She struggles to keep her fatal touch a secret from everyone.

Her life is friendless and lonely until she meets Seth, a boy with a healing touch. Seth is the only boy Jenny can touch, but Jenny's affection for him brings the wrath of his devious, manipulative girlfriend Ashleigh, who secretly wields the most dangerous power of all--the power to make people feel love.

Jenny must master her own power--the deadly "Jenny pox"--before Ashleigh can destroy her.

Jenny blogs at www.jennypox.blogspot.com

My Review - I loved this book. I mean I read 921 pages in about 4 days. It was so good. It reminded me kind of Carrie but better in a way. Ashleigh really got on my nerves although the book. She was a little crazy! I really liked how Jenny and Seth played out. Some of the details were a little graphic but that's better then being no details at all. Hoping the win the second book in the series, if I don't I'll be buying it! :)